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Chewonki Camp for Boys Head Counselor

Seasonal

Wiscasset, Maine

Posted 2 months ago

he Head Counselor is responsible for supervising and assisting the Counseling Staff to ensure that all campers receive a quality camp experience and that all staff feel valued and part of a team. The Head Counselor must be a thoughtful and impartial listener who is able to interact with staff from varied backgrounds and experiences. The Head Counselor is a receptive and trusted person to whom staff feel they can turn in times of difficulty or challenge.

Prerequisites

Must be 21 years of age or older

Valid Driver’s License approved by Chewonki’s Insurance Carrier

Must Pass Background Check

Minimum two seasons of camp or related experience. The Head Counselor must possess excellent leadership, communication and team building skills and knowledge of the fundamental needs of campers and staff.

Requisites

Able to attend staff training per employment agreement.

Attend necessary Driver Training.

Must be certified in Basic First Aid and CPR or have comparable certifications.

Responsibilities

Participate as an integral part of the camp leadership team.

Meet regularly with the counseling staff. Remain visible and accessible by participating in camp programs when able.

Ability to communicate and work with groups and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.

Communicate with and evaluate Cabin and Support Staff both formally and informally based upon their personal goals. Help ensure on-time completion of all campers reports and letters.

Help mediate between staff members when conflicts arise.

Oversee scheduling of staff time off and where requested and appropriate assist staff in planning time off.

Desired Skills

Risk Management

Chewonki participants and staff have countless opportunities for exploration, challenge, and accomplishment. In ways both highly and minimally consequential we routinely evaluate risk-taking for ourselves and others. Is it safe to cross the street with my children? What are the consequences of swimming at the beginning of this rapid? In-camp risks tend to be more well-identified while evaluating risks in a wilderness setting often requires more experience. Chewonki staff must frequently examine and balance the value versus the cost of specific risks.

Leadership

We seek staff members who have experience taking a leadership role of some kind, be it in education, another outdoor organization, or service. We look for people who are compassionate, patient, enthusiastic, and enjoy engaging with kids.

Technical

Technical skills are a combination of the physical abilities and knowledge necessary for any activity. What level of technical skills will you need? It depends. The skills and experience needed to lead a group of campers on a mile hike in an urban park might be quickly acquired while those needed to guide a high altitude alpine climb could take years to acquire. And, there is everything in between. Some examples of technical skills include trip planning, first aid, nutrition and hydration, navigation, knocking and shooting an arrow, using a pull-saw in the woodshop and countless other activity specific skills. We offer many activities in camp. The skills needed to take part in and lead some activities are fairly easily acquired while it might take longer to gain confidence and competency in others.

Interpersonal

Interpersonal or communication skills are often tougher to define and evaluate than technical skills but are just as critical. Developing strong interpersonal skills is often hastened by honest, constructive feedback. Some examples of core interpersonal skills include: having a sense of humor, judgment, awareness of the group and one’s self, teamwork, crisis management, decision making, and empathy.

If you think you have the skills and temperament required to do take on this responsibility we’d love to speak with you, answer questions and help you learn more about a summer at Chewonki. We look forward to being in touch.